We must rename UDS after Former President Rawlings - Akufo-Addo

Despite admitting that the former President rejected the idea of naming national edifices after him, Akufo-Addo believes Rawlings deserves that honour for the pivotal role he played in the establishment of the school.

"If Rawlings' own sense of modesty probably compelled him to decline such a proposal while he was alive, let the people's voice now prevail, on his passing, to enable us put on record: The J. J. Rawlings University for Development Studies," he said as quoted by Graphic.com.

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Speaking at the 21st Congregation of UDS at the Central Campus on Saturday, the President, paid a tribute to the late former President and founder of the University for Development Studies, Jerry John Rawlings.

"If this nation tearfully grieves so does the University for Development To particularly, to commemorate the pivotal role, President Rawlings, in establishing and propping up UDS as a quintessential university located within a poor environment that investigates and seeks to address community needs," he said.

The founder of the NDC and the first President of the Fourth Republic Rawlings died on Thursday, 12 November 2020, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was receiving treatment, after a short illness.

Rawlings was 73 years old.

He played a crucial role in the establishment of the UDS when he used his prize money from World Food Prize of $50,000 as seed money for its founding.

In October 2013, the school conferred a doctorate degree on Rawlings for his contribution towards the establishment of the university.